Arc-light distributer.



mf/72,745. PATBNTBD 0GT.18,1904. H. J. PALMER.

vARGLIGHT DISTRIBUTER.

APPLIOATWN FILED TF1-13.15, 1904.

N0 MODEL.

Ww y A w* UNITED .STATES Patented October 18, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY J. PALMER, OF YORK, N. Y., ASSlGrNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHESTER ROBINSON,-OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ARo-Licai-QTA D'IS'TRIBUTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters'Patent No. 772,745, dated October 18, 1904.

Application fue@ retruaryi, 1904. serial 119.193,568. maman.)

To a/ZZ whmift'it'may concern,.-

zen of the United States, and a resident of the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, in the county and State of New'YorlL-have invented a new and lmproved Arc-Light Distributer, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description. Y

My invention relates to means for distributing light and admits of` general use, but is" peculiarly applicable in the case of arc-lights, for the reason that in such lights the illuminating-surface due to the use of carbon is comparatively small.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying in which similar characters of reference in# dicate corresponding parts in all the figures. Figure 1 is a vertical central section upon the line 1 l of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow and showing one of my distributers in use. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section upon theline 22 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow, and Fig. 3 is a horizontal section upon the line 3 3 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrow.

The annulartop portion is provided with an annular iange 5, provided with apertures 6, and said top portion is provided with eyes 7, connected with chains 8, whereby the entire device is suspended or otherwise mounted. A plurality of lprismoids 9, each provided with flat faces or facets 10, are disposed leoluidistant from the carbons 11', used forsupplying the light. The faces 10 of each prismoid are inclined relatively to each other by an angle, preferably obtuse. I nd that.

good results ensue when these faces are inclined about one hundred and twenty degrees relatively to each other, as indicated. I do' a horizontal plane for the purpose of still further diffusing the light.

The light-distributer may, if desired, be placed at street intersections, the glass plates 12 being disposed in the general directions of the streets.- It is especially designed for street intersections and other points where lamps are spaced far apart. The carbons 11 being energized in the usual manner, the light radiates from them and strikes the faces 10. The faces 10 are white. This glow may be given them in any desired manner-for instance, by painting them or giving them a surface of white enameline or even by mak- `ing-the prismoids 9 of a material white in color. The light radiating in all directions and striking the several faces or facets 1Oisl caused to be diffused and in a sense concentrated in the directions of the several streetsthat is 'to say, all of the light-rays which go from the carbon directly outward through the glass plates 12 will be unobstructed,

whereas a considerable proportion of the rays .f

light passing directly from the carbons. The

fact is that the light is so distributed as to cause a bright illumination in certain definite directions, and yet the light passing in those directions is so' diffused as to be comparatively easy upon the eyes.

r1`he annular member Liis concave, as shown, its under surface being light in color, preferably white, and adapted to reflect the light downward. The facets 9iL 9b, disposed, ,re-

Yspectively, at the top and bottom of each prismoid, serve still further to break up and diffuse the light. The upper concave surface of the metallic member acts likewise, the result being that the light is still further broken up and diffused. The light which passes downward through the glow-holes 14 instead of producinga circle of illuminating spots upon the pavement causes the spacebelow the distributer to be lighted up with a general glow.

y It will be understood, of course, that in practically all arc-lights, whether operated by direct or alternating currents and whether inclosed or open, a large proportion of the light is projected upward and the rest concentrated downward within a radius of a few feet. This is remedied by my device in the manner above described upon the principle that the light is broken up and diffused and yet to some extent concentrated in definite directions.

My device further acts as a globe, forming practically the same function as a glass globe in addition to those above described.

While I show the device as applied to arclights, it may ofcourse be used in connection with lights of other kinds, and Ido not limit myself in the character of other lights employed.

Havingthus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a light-distributer, the combination of a source of light, a cap disposed below the same and provided with a reflecting-surface facing said light and also provided with glowholes for throwing the light downward, and mechanism provided with reiecting-surfaces disposed adjacent to said cap for the purpose of diffusing the light reflected therefrom. thereby causing said light to pass downwardly through said glow-holes.

2. In a light-distributer, the combination of a source of light, a plurality of prismoidal members disposed adjacent to said source of light and provided with white surfaces disposed at obtuse angles relatively to each other for the purpose of diff using light, said prismoidal members being vertical and provided at their respective tops and bottoms with facets inclined relatively to said source of light, reiiecting mechanism disposed above and below said prismoidal members, and glass plates connecting said prismoidal members together.

3. In a light-distributor, the combination of a source of light, a plurality of solid prismoids disposed adjacent thereto and provided with reiecting-surfaces inclined relatively to each other and provided with facets for the purpose of concentrating a diliused light in definite predetermined directions, said prismoids being also provided with rotund surfaces, and plates of glass of rotund conformity disposed adjacent to said facets and connecting said prismoids together so that the entire structure presents a substantially cylindrical form.

4. In a light-distributer, the combination of a plurality of solid prismoidal members each having two surfaces inclined relatively to each other at an obtuse angle and painted white, and being of longitudinal form` each of said members being further provided at its ends with facets capable of relicctinglight, a source of light disposed adjacent to said members, and reflecting mechanism disposed adjacent to said facets for the purpose of dilfusing light reiected therefrom.

In testimony whereof .l havesigned my name to this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY J. PALMER.

vWitnesses:

NV. l-lAnmsoN, EVERARD BoL'ro\T MARSHALL. 

